Shloka 3.55.24

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita)

Devanagari script

न शक्यो वायुराकाशे पाशैर्बद्धुं महाजवः।दीप्यमानस्य वाप्यग्नेर्गृहीतुं विमलां शिखाम्।।3.55.24।।

Transliteration

na śakyo vāyur ākāśe pāśair baddhuṃ mahājavaḥ |

dīpyamānasya vāpy agner gṛhītuṃ vimalāṃ śikhām ||3.55.24||

Translation

As the swift wind in the sky cannot be bound with ropes, and as the pure flame of blazing fire cannot be seized, so too (he implies) is resistance to his power futile.

Context

It is not possible to bind the wind blowing at high speed in the sky. Similarly it is not possible to catch the brilliant glow of flaming fire.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Vāyu (wind)
• Agni (fire)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma rejects coercion: using fear and claims of inevitability to force consent is unethical, even when expressed through poetic comparisons.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa uses vivid similes (wind and flame) to suggest that opposing him is impossible.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage in the face of intimidation is implicitly valorized—Sītā’s moral courage against threats.